D&D (2024) PHB 2024 Creature Reveal: Sphinx of Wonder

[Argyle King]

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Here's the new stat block layout.

Looks as though the new format took some inspiration from Late 3.5 and early 4th Edition.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

D&D has had the Shedu and Lamassu as creatures before, and I'd say they'd be Celestials if they'd appeared in 5e. And they the type of creatures that are quite close in concept to what a Sphinx is already, just from Sumerian mythology instead of Egyptian or Greek.

 

[mellored]

12 damage from a level 1 creature...

That's got a solid chance to 1 shot a level 1 PCs.

 

[Twiggly the Gnome]

Apparently there are other new Warlock Familiars as well.

That's good to hear. Outside of Fiend and Fey, Chainlocks didn't have any good thematic options.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

The formatting bones seem easier to parse so far, but this monster isn't particularly complicated to begin with. I would really have to see something complex to get a better grasp on everything.

My only complaint so far is that I would have preferred the CR/XP line to be up beside the name, but on the right. Most of the rest of it seems improved.

Though it is worth noting that apparently the PHB monsters don't have much if any lore next to them. Shouldn't be an issue for beasts, but it's kind of weird to omit that kind of thing for an entirely new monster.

Is that creature from the PHB?

 

[Ruin Explorer]

Seems good though a Sphinx without a human-ish face is barely a Sphinx I say! They should have gone a wee bit creepier and little less "Tressym goes to Prom". But the more the merrier familiar-wise, honestly.

 

[Leatherhead]

Is that creature from the PHB?

Yes!

 

[Weiley31]

between a Tressym and Peacock

Tressym goes to Prom"

Okay, fine, you two convinced me to refluff this as a Tressym if somebody wants a winged cat pet.

 

[Yaarel]

My only complaint so far is that I would have preferred the CR/XP line to be up beside the name, but on the right. Most of the rest of it seems improved.

I no longer use CR/XP, so I prefer this info tucked away in the fineprint.

However, I prefer the Proficiency Bonus to be much more prominent, about as prominent as the Ability Bonuses. The Proficiency Bonus would also provide a ballpark figure for how powerful the creature is.

In addition to the CR rating, I would like the statblock to list a character level − whatever level it is equivalent to if it was a player character played by a player.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I no longer use CR/XP, so I prefer this info tucked away in the fineprint.

I don't use it either! I just think it "belongs" up there. I'm with you that I would rather that it was called Level (and corresponded to a weak-to-average PC of that level).

But that ain't happening.